News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-01-06
A STRANGE ROMANCE.
The Story of the Doctor Who Courted and
Did Not Know It.
From the Atlanta constitutional

DR.. Hardin, as his name shall be for
this occasion now dead had but lately
arrived in Americas, Ga, from Savan-
nah Being a gentleman of polished
address he soon found admission to the
best circles of society, and at once be-
came indispensable at all social gather
ings. With the ladies he was a prime
favorite. With one in particular he
formed close friendship, for it devel-
oped that he had fought in the trenches
with her brother, and it was into his
arms that the wounded man fe !, when
he was staggered by the bullet which
caused his death.
One day Miss Julia, with her widowed
mother, went out on that most impor-
tant duty in a woman's life-the pur-
chase of bridal trosseau. Society had
| pretty well guessed the course of affairs.
| Congratulations poured in upon the
young lady, all of which she accepted
with becoming modesty. The groom
expectant, however, acted mysteriously.
He never made reference to the happy
affair vita which his name was linked.
| Wien a friend congratulated him he
looked puzzled, but offered no invita-
ton to proceed.
Thus weeks passed, until the date
popularity supposed to have been set for
the nuptials had gone by. The doctor
moved about the city in his usual IN
concern. The young lady held her
grief and disappointment sacred, and
ventured no word of censure or COM
plant. In fact, the mystery became so
great that the question as to whether
the couple had ever been engaged or
not became one of yioent local agita-
| ton
The soldier friends of the young lady's
brother, feeling that she was without
male protection, determined that she
should not be imposed upon They met,
| to the number of a dozen, late one even
ing, by the cotton warehou of Harold
| & johnson, and agreed to call on the
doctor and get an explanation. They
reached his room, and were told that he
had gone out not five minutes before for
walk, and would not be back until
after midnight. In order to fill in the
time until that hour, the party went to
Miss Julia's house to consult her about
the matter. They were surprised to
find the doctor there, while near him sat
the young lady in tears.
One of the men, mad 'ened at the doc
tors icy indifference, rushed over to him
and grasping him by the shoulder,
shook him violently. The doctor
yawned d eply; he arose, and rubbed
his eyes, and looking around him in the
utmost bew1lderment, said:
"How came here This is so very
strange. l went to bed in my room at
eight o'clock, and thought until this
moment that l was still there
He was somnambulist !
In the talk which followed the whole
matter was made plain. After having
visited Miss Julia twice, he began COM
ing at nine o'clock, when he was not
expected. His manner was somewhat
stiff and formal, but he pressed his suit
with perseverance. Be would never
make the remotest reference TO any other
subject. He never thought of leaving
until few minutes before ore in the
morning. His late hour IN coming, his
late hour in leaving, always seemed
strange, but as his behavior was always
most circumspect, it was not thought of
after the first few nights. Thus he pro-
posed, was accepted, had the date ap
pointed, and passed it over In his
waking hours he had no recollection
whatever of the events of the night be-
fore.
After the matter had thus been made
plain, the doctor said:
''Now, Miss Julia, since all this has
transpired in my sleep, l may as well
tell you that your image has been i'm
pressed upon my heart all along. Will
you consent again to my proposal p
1t was too plain that no opposition
existed there. Soon the license was
procured, the minister called in, and the
happy pair were made one.
But one chapter more remains to be
told. When the yellow fever broke out
in Savannah with such virulence about
two years ago, DR.. Hardin was one of
the most Jealous in waiting upon the
sick in that CITY. He never refused the
call of duty. At last he, too, succumbed
to the dread destroyer, and he now sleeps
with the silent majority.